Reportedly, at least 10 such new palkis were currently being used for trials and the feedback has been positive.

Vaisno Devi temple&nbsp | &nbspPhoto Credit:&nbspIndiatimes

Jammu: Here's some good news for travelers planning to go on a pilgrimage to the revered Vaishno Devi temple, located at Katra in Jammu and Kashmir. The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine board has announced the introduction of new palkis for the devotees visiting the temple. This new palkhi, or palanquin, is touted to provide a more comfortable ride to travelers so as to ensure that their journey is not exhausting and tiring, a Hindi daily reported.

According to a report by Dainik Jagran, at least 10 such new palkis were currently being used for trials and the feedback has been positive.

The new palkis are said to be much more comfortable to sit in than the old ones currently in use, the report stated. Devotees riding the palki can even carry a small bag, a water bottle and laptops with them. Compared to the old palki which is made of iron, these news palkis - made of stainless steel - weigh very less, thus ensuring that a person weighing 150 kgs can also the facilities of the palki to reach at the top of the hill, where the temple is located. While the old palkis weighed as heavy as 70 kgs, the weight of the new palkis is just 30-40 kgs, the report stated.

The new palkis have been designed in such a way so that the devotees are not uncomfortable due to any bumps on the roads. Interestingly, the new palkis can last for at least 15 years as compared the old palkis who would get worn out in just four to five years.

Meanwhile, the cost of construction of the new palkis would be slightly more than that of the old ones. While the new palki could cost anywhere between Rs 18,000 to Rs 20,000, the old palkis' construction usually cost around Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000, the daily reported.

Traveling to Vaishno Devi temple to become easier as shrine board introduces new, 'more comfortable' palkis Description: Reportedly, at least 10 such new palkis were currently being used for trials and the feedback has been positive.
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